New York City lawmakers to consider Happy Meal toy ban

Several New York city council members say they'll back a ban on toys, games and ticket giveaways with quickservice meals that don't meet specific nutritional guidelines. San Francisco passed the country's first so-called "Happy Meal ban" last year, a move supported by a national consumer group and opposed by restaurant companies including McDonald's, which say the measures aren't effective tools in the fight against childhood obesity. "On average, kids eat at McDonald's about three times a month; that means about 87 other meals are eaten at home, school or elsewhere. That adds up to a discussion larger than toys," said McDonald's spokesman Mason Smoot.